On July 14, Kihyun of MONSTA X appeared on the E Channel program 'Ryu's Students: The Adventure of Food' and completed his final culinary course in Sicily, Italy, wrapping up his “Ryu-cipes.”
The night before creating the “Ryu-cipes,” Kihyun exercised with Ryu Soo Young and Yoon Kyung Ho to lift their spirits. During their workout, his songs “Youth” and “Bad Liar” began to play, and Kihyun proudly said, “These are my songs.” The two older cast members responded warmly, saying, “Right, Kihyun’s the vocalist—he’s the main vocalist,” creating a heartwarming atmosphere.
The next day, Kihyun headed to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, for a special outdoor class. There, he tried making granita using the snow from Etna. He also visited a Sicilian home-style cooking master to experience authentic local dishes.
While savoring a Sicilian-style meatball, Kihyun commented, “The pairing with the pickled tomatoes is amazing. It tastes like sweet and sour pork without the batter, paired with pickled radish.” His familiar analogy resonated with viewers. When the master cut the meat, Kihyun recognized it instantly: “It’s guanciale—I’ve had it in aglio e olio.” His knowledge of local ingredients impressed the older cast members.
After thoroughly taking notes during the meal, Kihyun returned to the lodge and made his chosen “Ryu-cipes” dish: sweet and sour meatballs. Demonstrating precise measurements and refined techniques—like grating cheese for umami or using milder red onions—he displayed a high level of cooking skill. A self-proclaimed “nut lover,” he even added ground pine nuts for a unique personal twist.
Kihyun also actively asked questions to Ryu Soo Young to perfect the dish. Upon smelling Kihyun’s special sauce, Ryu exclaimed, “This smell is unreal. It’s gourmet-level cooking,” heaping praise on him.
Finally, after tasting Kihyun’s sweet and sour meatballs, both Ryu Soo Young and Yoon Kyung Ho were amazed. Kihyun couldn’t hide his proud smile at their enthusiastic reactions.
'Ryu's Students: The Adventure of Food', featuring Kihyun, airs every Monday at 9 p.m. on E Channel, and is also available on Wavve and Netflix.
MONSTA X will hold their 10th anniversary solo concert '2025 MONSTA X CONNECT X' from July 18 to 20.
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